Assighos



Feb; 14, 1928. 1,658,987

w. H. HOLMES CASH REGI STER Filed March 10, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Gum e43 gwwwt William H. H es Feb. 14, 1928.

' 1,658,987 w. H. HOLMES CASH REGISTER Filed March 10, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

FIG.2

. avwewboz Williaw an improved term oi connecting meat" 'HILLL LM H.

THE 1 *0Nr. L Cf OF DEARYLAND.

0F DAYTGEE, i

CASH REGISTELL.

Application rues. rear-ea 10, 1221. eel-m1 lt-To.

This invention relates to cash registers and more pareicuiarly to means for con verting a cash register oi the type having an incomplete bank or penny or unit keys and adaprt to register amounts involvi 1g iive cents or more multiples thereot com- 1" E Y I KL l m bu an u" 11101; J hub-will. LO tile oldc e LLD m1 liruknlllvb into CflSrl registers of general usage having a complete bank of penny or unit keys, any

' one oi which serves to release the operating mechanism together with means for releasing such operating mechanism vhen no penny or unit key is to be operated.

* object or the invention is to i'ili l tween any bank of value or identit determining elements and a special release whereby the operating mechanism raiy be unlocked by the operation of any key of the related nk independently of the operal key or may be unlocked K is r the spec'al ke independently ot the operation of any key oi such elated bank o'i' keys.

ienlar. the object or"; the invention ale and eltective mean.

inch may be readily incorporated into existing machines for converting such machines from a limited capacity to a wider range of operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form oi rey derent and means for operating the same and to pro vide improved means for actuating the looking detents of the cash register mechanism to release positions.

With the above prin'rary and other incidental objects as will more fully appear in the specification the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combination thereof and the mode of operation or equivalents as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a cash ,re g ister embodying the present invention. 2 is an elevation of a bank of registering mechanisms viewed from the side opposite that shown in Fig.1. Fig. 3 is detail view illustrating the relation or parts viewed 1 4: is detail perspective view or the key detent which is added to the existing mechanism to effect the new result. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a modification of ti shown in Fig. l. l of the and run original form and converted. '4 view of the same banks or keys alter the embodiment therein ot the invention forming the sub ject matter her o.

Like parts are ii icated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

For illustrative purposes the present incontrol means is trout elevation s of keys in their rior being vention has been shoi n embodied in a cash register oil t shown and described in iatent issued September 27, 300;) ,L r

c -{ugo Cook, Patent No. 580,375 issued April 18, 1894' to Joseph Gieal and Frank ii... Reinhard, Patent l lo. 690,5:il i sued January '5', 902 to frank H. Bicktord,

Patent No. 79A,? 38 if: and Patent lxo.

Tali a1. 1903, .i issued Februan" 22, 1910 to Joseoh cal. and Patent 996,8ls, imned I 1911 to 3 Von l ein, and reference nr LE, had to the said patents for a more detailed description of the registering and perati' mechanism. The cashregister mechanism shown in the said patents is of the type known as two motion, that is, the keys comprise setting elements or stops which are tirst depressed to determine the record or registration to be ellected and to release or unlock the normally locked operating mechani m. This operating mechanism after being unlocked by the operation oi the setting element is actuated by a crank or suitable driving mechanism.

Inasmuch as the registering mechanism per se forms no part of the present invention it has been illustrated only in tragmentary form.

The operation of the machine to which the present improvements are applied is substantially the same as that of the machine shown in the above mentioned Letters Patent, but for convenience may be briefly stated as follows: The machine comprises a plurality of banks or keys 1 and adjunct parts shown in igs. 2 and 3, any one of which keys when depressed serves as a stop for a diii erentially movable rocking segment 2. The segment rack 2 receives its rocking movement from a sector 3. to which-it is automatically coupled and unings .in-the side frames .5 of the structure.

An oscillatory movement is gtransmittedtoj the rock shaft i by any suitable actuating means. The teeth of the rack segment 2 m-eshwith a gear pinion not shown in the i drawings, through the medium of which the differential movement of the segment 2 is transmitted to I radial position are indicating and totaling mechanisms in a manner we'l-l known'ln the art and needing no description here, but

for which reference is to be had to the aforementioned prior Letters Patent.

The plunger keys 1 which are arranged in depressible against a spring 6. The inner ends of the key stems are beveled-or cammed as at? for engagement with the inclined Walls 8 of notches formed in an oscillatory detent plate9 pivoted loosely upon the rock shaft 4 as shown in the patent to Chambers, 1,062,767 granted May27,19l3. The segmental detent 9 is scillated upward by the depression of any one of the series of keys .1 through the in terengagement of the cammed end? with an inclined mold 8. This upward movement of the detent plate 9 releases a latch bar 10 which is projected rearward by aretracting spring 11 thereby carrying a'locking shoulder 12 of said latch bar beneath the lower end of the detent plate 9 to lock the de-l tent plate in its elevated'position' where it engages and retains the depressed or operated key and prevents the operation of any other keys of the bank until released at the completion of th operation. As ordinarily constructed and as shown in the prior patents referred to the detent plate 9 carries'a stud which in the movement of the detent plate effects the release of the normally locked operating mechanism. In Fig. 2

- there is shown at the upper end of the detent a hole 13 from which such stud has been removed. Thelocking devices controlled by such stud upon the movement of the detent plate 9'in the usual construction comprise among other elementsa rock shaft 16 1 journaled in the side frames and provided with a rock arm 17 engaging with the aforementioned stud to control the oscillation of the shaft 16. The present invention pertains primarily to the transfer of this control stud from the key detent plate 9 to an auxiliary key detent hereinafter described. The locking .mechanism' controlled by the rock shaft 16 maybe of various forms of construction. For instance .in the aforementioned patent to VoniPein 996,814, the rock shaft 16 of the present construction is identified in the Von Pein' construction as rock shaft58 controlling alink 55 connected to an arm 59' upon a shaft'60 which in'turn (Pein patent the rock shaft identified as 58 and corresponding tothe shaft 16 of the present construction isspringv actuated so that itmoves automatically upon the disengagement of the stud carried by the detent plate from the ar1n73 of the Von Pein patent which correspondsto the arm 17 of the present"construction. V

p In the pat ent to Cleal 949,884 there is shown a difi'erent typeof locking mechanism illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14in which the rock shaft 28 -of Cleal patent corresponding to the rock shaft 16 of the present construction is actuated by the engagement of the stud with a cam surface upon'the rock arm '52" to disengagea locking rdetent 45 from the notched disc. So far as thepresent invention is concerned, it is immaterial just what locking mechanism is employed as reference to the Von Pein and Cl-eal patents is made for the purpose of showing-different types of detent mechanism operated from and under the control of the rock shaft 16, and rock arm 17 of the present construction.

As thus far described except for the reference to the transfer of the controlling stud from the key detent plate 9 to an auxiliary key detent, the construction is one well known in the cash register art and forms no part of the presentinvention, but is shown understood that there are now in existence great numbers of cash registers known to the trade as Fbar machines, which have only one value key in the units'or penny bank, namely, the'five cent key, and in addition thereto a non-registering key having no numerical value, but which is merely a release key. In such machines either of these keys that its to say, the five cent key or the release key when-operated elevates the key'rdetent plate 9 .and moves the control stud before mentioned into relation with the rock arm 17 to effect the unlocking of the mechanism. These machines'were originally intendedto register only'multiples of five cents. In the event that the amount to be registered included five cents such as twentyfive cents, fifty-five cents, a dollar, and thirty-five cents, etc., the depression of the five cent key which in such case isthe only registering key in the penny or cent-bank,

would effect the elevation of the key'detent plate, and the 'unlocking'of'the machine. In

the event, however, that the sum to be registered did not terminate in five cents, but was a ten or multiple of ten as twenty cents, seventy cents, one dollar, etc., then the special release non-registerin key would be operated to likewise actuate the key detent plate and eifect the unlocking of the mechanism, exactly as in the case of the five cent key. In other words, the machine is released tor operation only upon the depression of either a key in the units bank orthe special release key. Such a key-board arrangement has been shown in Fig. 6 in which 18 is the tens bank of keys and 19 is the pennies or units bank. The latter bank of keys in this original form contains a single value key 20 of the five cent denomination and a non-registering release key 21, the depression ofeither of which will serve to rock the key detent plate and so effect the release of themechani-sm.

In converting a machine of the bar ty e, having the limited key arrangement shown in Fig. 6, the key frame or support is removed from the machine and if not already provided by the manufacturer, additional key guides or openings for the stems of the plunger keys are milled or Otherwise formec in this frame. The frame is then provided with a full complement of value keys from one to n ne inclusive in the pennies or units bank 19. Inasmuch as machines of this type as originally constructed are dependent on the operation of the key detent plate of the pennies or units bank for the release of the mechanism, some specia release key must be provided for use in instances where the amount does not involve pennies or units. Such release key is necessary to por form the functions of the key 21 of Fig. 6. To this end there is provided upon the converted machine a special release key 22 mounted in a key guide or bracket 23 secured to the side of the frame of the machine. This key 22 is of the usual plunger type and is depressible against a spring 2%.

The control stud hereinbefore referred to as carried by the oscillatory key detent plate 9 in the original construction is transferred from the key detent plate 9 to an auxiliary oscillatory key detent plate 25, upon which the control stud is shown at 26.. lhe key detent 25 is loosely ournalled upon the main shaft l. In the original construction there is usually found upon the inner face of the side frame 5 a boss indicated by dotted line at 27 in Fig. 3. This boss is removed in the conversion of the machine and affords ample space for the insertion of the key detent 25 intermediate of the side frame 5 and the osc llatory key detent plate 9. The key detent 25 is provided with an inturned lip or flange 28 which overhangs the rear edge of the key detent plate 9 and lies in the path of the detent plate whereby the oscillation of the detent plate 9 by the manipulation of any value keys of the cents or units bank will also effect the oscillation of the key detent'25 in unision with the move ment of the detent plate. The stud 26 carried by the aetent plate 25 hears the s relation to the rock arm 1? as when. carried directly upon the detent plate 9 1 original construction. in addition to the inturned'lip or flange 28, the key detent carries an outwardly yn'ojecting flange or lip 29 extending into the path of movement of the depressible special release key The construction is such that upon the depression of the special release ke r 22 to unlock the machine for registration of sums involving no pennies or cents, the key detent 25 will be oscillated independently of the key detent plate 9, carrying with it the con trol stud 26 which will perform its function in eifecting the release of the mechanism thoueh the key detent plate 9 by which it is ordinarily and originally carried remains entirely at rest. it is this simple construction atlorc means for shifting the control stud mendently of the key detent plate by wn 'h the stud is normally and originally carried which enables machines of the bar type to be quickly and very cheaply converted into regulafl machines of full capacity. The oscillation of the key detent 25 is effected against the tension of 1 spring 3). As can be seen in t rearward oscillation of the key ent whether the same is effected in unison with the oscillation of the key detent plate 9 under the influence of the value keys of the pennies or units bank, or effected independently of the movement of the key detent plate 9 under the influence of the special release key 22, carries the control stud 26 beyond the end of the stop finger 31, and moves an arm 32 also carried by the arm 17, clockwise, whereupon a lock arm 17 is oscillated upwardly by a spring (not shown) causing the control stud 26 to enter between the ends of the stop finger 31 and the rocker arm 32. This movement of the arm 17 and oscillation of the shaft 16 operates through a train of mechanism fully described in the aforementioned patent to Von Pein c0n1pris ing the link 55, rock arm 59, shai't 60, and arm 61 of the Von Pein construction to actuate the locking link 37 of said construction.

As shown in Fig. 5 the rearward oscillation of the key detent 25 carrying the control stud 26 whether such movement is effected in unison with th movement of the key detent plate 9 under the influence of the value keys of t is pennies or units bank or is effected indepenoently of the key detent plate 9. under the influence of the special release key 22, carries the stud 26 into engagement with the beveled or inclined face I" the rock arm 52 of the 'Clea'l construction mentioned to elevate thisrock arm and rock the shaft 16 thereby depressing the locking nose 45 of the detent arm ll out of the notch 46 of the locking disc. V V

Vfhile the present invention is a comparatively simple addition to existing machines of a certain type, it isnevertheless :t'ar reaching in ettect and very useful in its function in thatit not onlyenabies salvaging of, vast numbers of cash registers for which there is now little or -no demand or'use, but the construction shown is a'valuable and efiicientadjunct to these structures and may be incorporated at the time of manufacture with beneficial results. Since it is of value when incorporated in new structures at the time of manufacture, as Well as aftording meanszt'or converting obsolete machines into usable cash reo'isters the invention is not necessarily limited to the atter use only 7 From the above description it willbe apparent thatrthere is thus provideda device of :the character described possessing the .particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its torm, proportions, detail, con truction and arrangement of parts Withoutdeparting from the principleinvolved or sacrificing any of its advantages. I I

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been describedin langauge more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details shown, but that the means andconstruction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications Within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, l claim I a d 1. In a caslrre ister, the combination of a bank oi amount keys, a supporting frame tliereioiga brackettast to said. frame, a s'in-i gle'keymounted in said bracket, and a segmental plate having bent portions extending at right angles thereto adapted to co-l operate with saidsingle key or said amount keys to release thei machlne.

- 2. In a cash register,'the combination of 3. In a cash, register, thecombination of a bank-of amount keys, a supporting frame therefor, a bracket fast-to said frame, a sing'le :ey mounted in said bracket, a plate adapted to be actuated by said amount keys, a second plate adapted to' be actuated by saidsing'le key, and an ear, on said second plate projecting into the path of said first plate to cause movement of the second plate upon depression ofan amount key.

in testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

lVILLIAM, H. HOLMES. 

